The Long Way Home

Nephtali and Daddy, January 2009
Even though Steven Curtis Chapman had another meaning to this song when he wrote it I don't think he will mind that it touched this mama's heart in a different way deep down. "Well I know we're gonna make it And I know we're gonna get there soon So I'll keep on singing and believing what all of my songs say Cause our God has made a promise
And I know everything He says is true And I know wherever we go He will never ever leave us Cause He's going to lead us home
Every single step of the long way home Keep on, were gonna make it I know we're gonna make it We're just taking the long way home"

Nephtali, February 2012

Disappointments & Choices

Thank you for your many prayers for the parent/child interview. Unfortunately it did not happen. We asked a friend that night if she knew if it went alright and she said that "they didn't go today." The director's assistant told her that the appointment wasn't until the 16th.

My heart sank and I shared the email from the embassy showing the date of the 12th, not the 16th. We emailed our adoption coordinator and shared the news and our concerns that this was the second time this had happened. He responded this morning saying the assistant informed him that she had lost the embassy email. He told us he would ask for a third appointment and that he would request it for when he would personally be in Haiti. That way, if needed, he could be the one to take them to the appointment. He let us know that if this third appointment does not happen and Nephtali's mother does not make it to the embassy, we could have some big problems.

Also several families heard news last week that they received dispensations. What a mix of emotions going through our hearts. On one hand, we shout for joy for the families that are one step closer. And on the other, we cry out in pain as we were not one of them.

There are so many things God teaches us through the adoption process. Not being self-centered is one of those things. My human side wants to pout and demand that our daughter and our family be the most important thing. It's all about US. I want it now. I don't want to wait anymore. Now! Now! Now!Us! Us! US!!

But even through the disappointment and pain I can see past that little human monster. My Lord and Savior is first! It's about Him and His Glory. His purpose. And then it's about others... a part of God's great plan just as much as we are.

So I choose not to be mad at the mistakes made. I choice FORGIVENESS instead. I choose not to worry and panic at what could happen. I choose TRUST instead. I choose not to be envious of progress for others. Instead, I choose JOY.

Movement

Yesterday the earth moved in Haiti again and fear and worry welled up in the hearts of the people. Many spent the night outside away from the comfort of their beds, sleeping in the hope that they would be safer away from the walls that would otherwise shelter them. Movement. So many emotions can come from it.

In Haiti, while they wish for the earth not to move, they wish for the government to move.  God's sons and daughters pray for movement in the hearts and lives of the Haitian people. That they may move toward the saving grace of our Lord and Savior and move away from voodoo. Families watch for movement of papers filled with signatures and stamps from one office to another on fragile nerves.

All these things are tied together with one thing, God.

Let's lift up our prayers that these things be like dominoes causing a chain reaction. Let the hearts of the people turn and reach for their Savior. Moving people to reaching out to help each other one by one with food, education, shelter, and love.  Moving leaders who have the heart of the people in mind to be raised up. Moving adoption paperwork and making it flow and families to be made whole.  Causing more children to be raised up for our Lord. Causing more voices to spread the Word of His love. Moving more hearts of the people to turn to God.

We received word last week that the names of the families who received dispensations were still sitting on a desk, but not to give up hope.  We will never give up hope not when we have a God that can move mountains!



~~~~Nicky